During a recent government meeting, the Coldwater Board of Public Utilities introduced the Michigan Green Communities Challenge, a statewide initiative aimed at fostering sustainability among local governments. Monica McCown, representing the board, emphasized the program's role in facilitating collaboration and information sharing among communities to promote innovative sustainability solutions.

The Michigan Green Communities Challenge serves as a benchmarking and technical assistance program, providing local governments with resources at no cost. McCown highlighted the importance of participating in this challenge to assess Coldwater's sustainability efforts against other Michigan communities. The initiative is supported by various state departments, including the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Transportation.

This year, a record 63 local governments participated in the challenge, representing over 4 million residents. The challenge recognized 36 communities with gold seals, 20 with silver, and 7 with bronze, based on their achievements in energy efficiency, climate adaptation, recycling, and community engagement. Coldwater was notably awarded a gold seal for its sustainability initiatives, which include energy-efficient lighting upgrades, free recycling services, and the installation of electric vehicle charging stations.

Julie Stifelind, assistant director of EGLE, praised the program for its ability to provide local governments with best practices and technical support, underscoring the critical role of local governments in fostering clean and healthy environments. The meeting concluded with a commitment from Coldwater to continue its participation in the challenge, aiming to enhance its sustainability efforts and benchmark progress throughout the year.